The Two Headed Bear: An Oral History of the NCR

by Knight Reginald Wellington IX

A personal history of the New California Republic from 2270-2288 as told through the eyes of the people who lived through it.Written in World War Z style, but in the Fallout universe.

1. Introduction

Introduction

The New California Republic, throughout her 112 years of existence, has had a rich and varied history. From her humble beginnings as a small village called Shady Sands, she has grown into a strong nation, ready to rebuild a new world on the core values of liberty and democracy. Numerous events have paved the way on the road to forming a new world, such as the War with the Enclave and the Annexation of San Francisco, but one cannot understate the immense importance the Mojave has played in shaping the New California Republic. The moment the first NCR ranger stepped foot on the dry desert soil of the Mojave, the New California Republic's history would be irrevocably changed with the discovery of Hoover Dam and Caesar's Legion. The Hoover Dam would prove to be a mixed blessing as it provided much needed energy for the NCR, but the war over it with Caesar's Legion almost led to the destruction of the NCR itself.

Countless books have been written about this critical period of time, but all are didactic and impersonal, more fit to gather dust in a university library than to be read and enjoyed by the people. All of those books are collections of casualty statistics and chronologies, they lack the intimacy and the human factor that binds us so tightly to the past.

Many historians will criticize this book. They will say it's too early for an oral history of the New California Republic's involvement in the Mojave. "The wars ended just a decade ago. Why write a personal history now?", they might ask while hiding behind their textbooks. This is a valid argument that begs a valid response. While it may seem like a good idea to wait so our memories can be seen with hindsight through the light of a mature new world, many of these memories are rotting away, trapped in bodies that will not be able to divulge their secrets in a few years time. Because of this, I decided this book would better started sooner rather than later. I have forgone the luxury of hindsight to capture more memories.

While this book may be composed by me, it is the interviewees' memories alone. I have tried to corroborate their stories to the best of my abilities, so I bear the responsibility for any mistakes that are in this book.